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Updated about 4 years ago on . Most recent reply

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Carmel Duffy
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Can I advertise my rental for a single person?

Carmel Duffy
Posted

I have a small sf home for rent which is only 500 square feet.

When prospective tenants call me and ask questions, I tell them the place is very small, only one closet for storage, really just big enough for a single person.

I have had a couple people say "so you won't rent to families?

I then tell them "There is not enough room for a family. "

I have had a couple people making comments that this is illegal.

Thanks for anyone's advice!

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Joe Splitrock
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Sioux Falls, SD
18,562
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Joe Splitrock
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Sioux Falls, SD
ModeratorReplied
Originally posted by @Carmel Duffy:

I have a small sf home for rent which is only 500 square feet.

When prospective tenants call me and ask questions, I tell them the place is very small, only one closet for storage, really just big enough for a single person.

I have had a couple people say "so you won't rent to families?

I then tell them "There is not enough room for a family. "

I have had a couple people making comments that this is illegal.

Thanks for anyone's advice!

 They are correct, it is illegal. This is considered steering, meaning you are steering families away from your property. It is discrimination based on familial status. You can potentially let someone know there are occupancy limits, but make sure those limits line up with your local laws. Usually the rule of thumb on occupancy is 2 per bedroom plus 1, so three people in a one bedroom house. The plus one is sleeping on the couch or could be a baby in the parents bedroom in a bassinet. You can tell someone the size, but don't draw any conclusions beyond that. There are fair housing testers that call to look for violations, so it is a good idea to not steer people. Generally speaking a family will not want to live in a small house, so let them conclude it on their own.

  • Joe Splitrock
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